Actuator for zipper fastener sliders



March 3, 1964 w. s. SHEE ACTUATOR FOR ZIPPER FASTENEIR SLIDERS FiledJan. 17, 1963 United States Patent 3,122,809 ACTUATOR FOR ZIPPERFASTENER SLIDERS William S. Shee, Woodbridge, Conn, assignor to ScovrllManufacturing Company, Waterbury, (301111., a corporation of ConnecticutFiled Jan 17, 1963, Ser. No. 252,266 3 Claims. (Cl. 24205.15)

This invention is an improved actuator for zipper fastener sliders ofthe type having a rigid pull tab which is usually of metal, hinged tothe slider.

A common type of pull tab used for zippers applied to clothing is arectangular metal tab with a hole at one end. In most instances, such apull tab is suflicient for actuating the slider, but in certaininstances, notably on the back opening of ladies dresses, such a pulltab is diflicult to reach.

Many proposals have been made for detachably connecting an elongatedpull, such as a cord, strap or chain, to the pull tab so that it can bemanipulated at a distance away from the slider. None of these deviceshave been, however, fully satisfactory. Some work fairly well in closinga zipper, but are awkward in opening the zipper.

One of the objects of my invention, therefore, is to provide an improvedactuator which is useful both in opening and closing by the use of asingle flexible pull, such as a cord, strap or chain.

Another object of the invention is economical manufacture, and to thatend, the device consists essentially of an improved one-piece memberwhich is preferably made of sheet metal having a flexible pull attachedto one end and capable of the dual use above mentioned.

Another object is to provide a guard on this one-piece member which,during the closing of the zipper, will underlie the slider so as toprevent its snagging on flimsy material beneath the slider.

Another object is to provide an improved actuator of the kind describedwherein a one-piece member can be hooked into the opening of the pulltab in closing the zipper, the same member having on its back side areceiver or pocket which can fit over and engage around the pull tab inthe inverted position of such member so that a single flexible pull isuseful in both directions. At the same time, this improved arrangementhas the advantage of holding the pull tab in an extended position duringthe opening movement so that the slider-locking device is held in theunlocked position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter morefully appear.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown for purpose of illustrationone embodiment which my invention may assume in practice. In thedrawing:

FIG. 1 illustrates how my improved slider actuator may be used;

FIG. 2 is a vertical front view of the one-piece pull tab engagingmember;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the same member;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing my improved actuator as used inclosing a zipper;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view showing how the same device may be usedin opening the zipper; and,

FIG. 6 is a cross-section on line 66 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 illustrates a dress 6 with a back opening 7, and the zipper hasstringers 8 attached to opposite sides of the opening. A slider 9 runsalong the stringers 8 to open or close the zipper, and hinged to theslider is a pull tab 1% having a hole 11 near its free end. This is avery common type of pull tab being made of a rectangular piece of metalalthough, of course, the invention is not limited to any precise shapeof the tab.

My improved actuator consists essentially of a one- "ice piece rigidmember, generally designated 12, and a flexible elongated pull 13 whichmay be a cord, chain, strap or the like. The member 12 as shown is madeof sheet metal, although it will be apparent that it could be made outof plastic or other rigid materials. It consists generally of arelatively wide, generally fiat guard portion 14 which is substantiallywider than the slider 9 so that when it is placed underneath the zipperas seen in FIG. 4, it will act as a guard or shield to prevent anymaterial under the zipper from snagging in the slider during closing ofthe zipper.

Extending from the upper end of the guard portion 14 is a shank 15having a hole 16 at its upper free end for convenient attachment of theflexible pull 13. A hook 17 is struck out of metal of the guard portion14 and extends upwardly toward the shank 15. This hook may be reinforcedby a rib 17a co-extensive therewith and which extends down into the bodyof the guard portion 14. This is adapted for engaging in the hole 11 ofthe pull tab 10, as seen in FIG. 4.

On the back side of the shank 15 adjacent the guard portion 14 is apull-holding device similar to a pocket for fitting over and engagingaround the pull tab. This pocket opens upwardly or toward the shankportion so that when the member 12 is inverted, it can he slipped overthe pull tab, as seen in FIG. 5. This pocket is preferably formed byside flanges 18 extending rearwardly from the side edges of the shank 15and having inturned wings 19 to engage over the pull tab.

The upper free end portion of the shank 15 is angled forwardly so thatduring the closing of the zipper, it will project slightly away from thezipper or the body of the user, and during opening of the zipper, asseen in FIG. 5, it will hold the pull tab in an extended position sothat in the case of a locking-type slider, the lock will be disengaged.Preferably, a reinforcing rib 21) extends along the greater part of thelength of the shank 15 to provide extra strength. The lower end portions21 of the guard portion 14 are preferably bent forwardly at an angle tohelp guide the guard portion into position underneath the zipper.

In use, the hook 17 is fitted into the hole 11 in the pull tab 10preferably before the garment is put on, so that for closing the Zipper,it is only necessary to place the long flexible pull 13 over theshoulder and lift it upwardly as seen in FIG. 1.

When it is desired to open the zipper, the slider will be up near theneck so that the pull tab can easily be grasped by the fingers and theactuator can he slipped over it in inverted position. Then the sameflexible pull 13 can be used to pull the slider down to open the zipper.

What I claim is:

1. An actuator for zipper fastener sliders of the type having a rigidpull tab hinged thereto which comprises a one-piece member having (a) arelatively wide guard portion adapted to underlie the slider in closingthe zipper;

(b) a shank extending from the upper end of said guard portion;

(0) a hook projecting from the front face of said guard portion andextending towards said shank; and,

(d) means forming a pocket on the back side of said being adapted to befitted over and engage around receive the pull tab from that direction,said pocket being adapted to be fitted over and engage around the pulltab to hold the same in extended position;

and a flexible pull member attached to the free end of said shankwhereby the said pull can be used for closing the zipper when said hookis engaged in the pull tab, or in opening the zipper when said one-piecemember is in inverted position with the pull tab engaging in saidpocket.

3 4 2. An actuator for zipper fastener sliders as defined in ingrearwardly from the side edges of said shank adjacent claim 1 whereinsaid one-piece member is formed of sheet said guard portion, at leastone of said sidewalls having metal and said hook is struck out from theguard portion, an inturned rearward flange and wherein the free end ofsaid book being centrally aligned with said shank. said shank beyondsaid pocket is angled upwardly and 3. An actuator for zipper fastenersliders as defined in 5 forwardly of the plane of said guard portion.claim 1 wherein said pocket consists of sidewalis extend- No referencescited UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No3,122,809 March 3, 1964 William S. Shee It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and thatthe said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 63, for "being adapted to be fitted over and engagearound" read shank, said pocket having its upper I end open so as to YSigned and sealed this 14th day of July 1964.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents ESTON G. JOHNSON AttestingOfficer

1. AN ACTUATOR FOR ZIPPER FASTENER SLIDERS OF THE TYPE HAVING A RIGIDPULL TAB HINGED THERETO WHICH COMPRISES A ONE-PIECE MEMBER HAVING (A) ARELATIVELY WIDE GUARD PORTION ADAPTED TO UNDERLIE THE SLIDER IN CLOSINGTHE ZIPPER; (B) A SHANK EXTENDING FROM THE UPPER END OF SAID GUARDPORTION; (C) A HOOK PROJECTING FROM THE FRONT FACE OF SAID GUARD PORTIONAND EXTENDING TOWARDS SAID SHANK; AND, (D) MEANS FORMING A POCKET ON THEBACK SIDE OF SAID BEING ADAPTED TO BE FITTED OVER AND ENGAGE AROUNDRECEIVE THE PULL TAB FROM THAT DIRECTION, SAID POCKET BEING ADAPTED TOBE FITTED OVER AND ENGAGE AROUND THE PULL TAB TO HOLD THE SAME INEXTENDED POSITION; AND A FLEXIBLE PULL MEMBER ATTACHED TO THE FREE ENDOF SAID SHANK WHEREBY THE SAID PULL CAN BE USED FOR CLOSING THE ZIPPERWHEN SAID HOOK IS ENGAGED IN THE PULL TAB, OR IN OPENING THE ZIPPER WHENSAID ONE-PIECE MEMBER IS IN INVERTED POSITION WITH THE PULL TAB ENGAGINGIN SAID POCKET.